CBCO: Blood Still Getting to Area Hospitals

The agency that supplies blood to hospitals in the Ozarks still has enough blood to meet demand.

In a release issued by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the organization states that while there have been temporary or minor reductions in blood supply, they have been able to meet the demand for the 44 area healthcare facilities they serve. 

CBCO Executive Director Anthony Roberts says in the release that they have been able to keep up with the demand but still need donations to maintain those blood levels as mobile drives are still being impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic as well as Winter Weather. 

The complete release including a link to sign-up for blood donations is below:

National news outlets have recently reported on a severe shortage of blood in some US states. While Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) is seeing minor and temporary reductions in blood reserve levels, they have been able to ensure that all partner hospital needs are met. That fact helps to illustrate the success of CBCO’s organizational model in which local donors provide blood to local hospitals.

Donors to Community Blood Center of the Ozarks are the sole providers of blood, platelet, and plasma products to patients at 44 area healthcare facilities. It takes 200 donations each day to meet area needs. CBCO carefully maintains a blood drive and promotional schedule that helps to ensure that local blood needs are met. The organization also strongly urges area blood donors to give to the organization that supplies the region.

“Thanks to the hard work of the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks and local donors, our hospitals haven’t felt any shortages,” said Brent Hubbard, president, and COO of Mercy Hospitals Springfield Communities. “When a certain type runs low, or demand picks up, CBCO is able to call on its donor base or host additional blood drives to ensure our patients have what they need. With everything we are experiencing in health care right now, one thing we haven’t worried about is our supply of blood.”

“When national news stories come out regarding widespread blood shortages, it is best for people to check to see where their local provider stands,” CBCO Executive Director Anthony Roberts said. “While we have not sounded the ‘critical appeal alarm,’ that does not mean we do not need the donations. We work closely with community partners and local organizations to ensure we have a plan to provide the blood we need for every hospital in our 40-county service area. But if donors start giving to other organizations who do not supply our hospitals, their decision to help nationally can cause a local shortage and put our area’s patients at risk.”

“While blood reserves can fluctuate during the winter months, a locally managed blood program has the ability to adapt and react when those fluctuations occur,” Roberts continued. “That is why local hospitals have chosen CBCO as their provider.”  

CBCO continues to adapt to changing conditions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and winter weather concerns. “While our blood supply is stable today, blood drives are still being affected negatively by the pandemic,” Roberts said. “A winter storm can quickly deplete our reserve levels. As a reminder, blood donors can give every 56 days. What is best right now is to keep a regular donation schedule, giving local blood to help local patients.” 

Please consider scheduling a blood donation. Find a blood drive near you and make an appointment to give at https://www.cbco.org/donate-blood/. On behalf of local hospital patients, CBCO thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.